Punjab Politics & Governance

Halwara airport terminal inaugurated; Adampur airport renamed

1 February 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the terminal building at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana district and unveiled the renaming of Adampur Airport as Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport. The Halwara civil enclave is intended to improve air connectivity for Ludhiana and its industrial and agricultural region; its runway can accommodate A320 aircraft.

The terminal includes LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and systems for treating and reusing water. The inaugurations took place on Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Key Facts

• A civil enclave enables civilian air services to operate alongside an existing military airbase.

Punjab launches post-matric scholarship distribution for SC students

1 February 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched distribution of post-matric scholarships for more than 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste students, under an initiative with a reported budget of ₹271 crore. The scheme is intended to support higher education for eligible students from families with annual incomes below ₹2.5 lakh.

Biometric authentication is mandatory for students, heads of institutions and nodal officers. The process uses the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Portal.

Key Facts

• Biometric authentication is required for students, institutional heads and nodal officers to strengthen scholarship-process accountability.

Punjab hands appointment letters to 916 recruits under Mission Rozgar

1 February 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann handed appointment letters to 916 recruits at a function in Mohali under Mission Rozgar. The recruits were appointed to posts in various departments.

Mann said the state had provided government jobs to 63,943 young people to date.

Punjab rejects Amritpal Singh’s request for temporary release to attend Parliament

2 February 2026

The Punjab government rejected Lok Sabha member Amritpal Singh’s request for temporary release to attend the Budget Session of Parliament, citing security, public-order and public-peace concerns.

The decision followed a direction from the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the government to decide on his application. Amritpal Singh is detained under the National Security Act in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam.

Key Facts

• The National Security Act provides for preventive detention in specified cases.

Punjab Road Safety Force marks two years since formal launch

2 February 2026

Punjab’s Road Safety Force marked two years since its formal launch. The force had 144 vehicles—116 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 28 Scorpio vehicles—and responds to emergencies on state and national highways, assisting crash victims and taking them to hospital.

Key Facts

• SSF operates on state and national highways, with vehicles reportedly reaching incidents within six to ten minutes after receiving information.

Punjab orders special audit and inquiry into Shri Dasmesh Academy

3 February 2026

Punjab ordered a special audit and inquiry into complaints concerning Shri Dasmesh Academy at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The inquiry covers alleged financial and administrative irregularities, the use of academy property, infrastructure issues and a complaint about the principal’s PhD; relevant documents are to be secured and a detailed report submitted within 30 days.

High Court stays Punjab municipal elections over ward delimitation

3 February 2026

The Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed elections to nine municipal corporations and more than 100 municipal committees in Punjab while seeking the state’s response to a petition challenging ward delimitation. It also stayed the issuance of election notifications and scheduled the next hearing for 18 February.

Key Facts

• A municipality is an urban local body; its governing role forms part of local self-government.

Farmers stage protests across Punjab over trade deal and other demands

5 February 2026

Farmers’ and workers’ organisations held protests across Punjab, including demonstrations outside ministers’ and legislators’ residences, over the India–US trade deal and other demands. Protesters also opposed the Electricity Amendment Bill, chip-based electricity meters and changes to MGNREGA, and sought compensation for losses and support for families of farmers who died during protests.

Key Facts

• MGNREGA’s statutory framework included designated implementing agencies, permitted works, monitoring and transparency safeguards.

Punjab SC Commission seeks report on alleged casteist remarks in Amritsar

5 February 2026

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission took suo motu notice of alleged casteist remarks by a police officer during a protest in Amritsar. It sought a report from the Amritsar Senior Superintendent of Police, due by 10 February 2026; the source reports no finding on the allegation.

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